Sony a900 vs Nikon D3

This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a900 and Nikon D3. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Sony a900 is manufacturered by Sony but Nikon D3 is from Nikon. Both Sony and Nikon are well known brands though.

Sony a900 were released 2008 and Nikon D3 was released 2007. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Sony a900 2008
Nikon D3 2007

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

Even though the camera sensors might be called differently they are both considered Full frame which means that the focal length of the lenses is not affected. There is no crop factor on any of these cameras and sensors.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Sony a900 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon D3 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Sony a900 has a 25 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D3 has 12,1 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Sony a900 25 MP
24385536 pixels
6048 x 4032
Nikon D3 12,1 MP
12052992 pixels
4256 x 2832

Sony a900 has a 102 % larger resolution than Nikon D3. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Nikon D3 has a larger ISO-range than Sony a900. Nikon D3 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 25600 while Sony a900 has 100 to 1600.

Camera ISO Range
Sony a900 100-1600
Nikon D3 200-25600

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a900
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a900 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds and Nikon D3 can shoot up to 9 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Sony a900 5
Nikon D3 9

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

Though, neither Sony a900 or Nikon D3 can shoot movies so if that is a functionality that you are really looking for you should look elsewhere.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Nikon D3 weighs 1300 gr (equal to 2.87 lb) which is 45% heavier than Sony a900 and its 895 gr (or 1.97 lb).

Camera Weight
Sony a900 895 gr
1.97 lb
Nikon D3 1300 gr
2.87 lb

Sony a900 vs Nikon D3 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a900 and Nikon D3, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Sony a900
Nikon D3
Name Sony a900 Nikon D3
Manufacturer Sony Nikon
Release Date and Price
Sony a900
Nikon D3
Release Year 2008 2007
Release Date 2008-09-09 2007-08-23
MSRP 2999 USD 4999 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Sony a900
Nikon D3
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Sony a900
Nikon D3
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6048 x 4032 pixels 4256 x 2832 pixels
Megapixels 25 MP 12,1 MP
Image Processor Bionz EXPEED
Image
Sony a900
Nikon D3
ISO Range 100 - 1600 200 - 25600
White Balance Presets 7 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Sony a900
Nikon D3
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
LiveView
Focus Points 9 51
Lens Mount Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier Full frame
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Sony a900
Nikon D3
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 921600 922000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT Xtra Fine color LCD N/A
Live view No Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.74x 0.7×
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Sony a900
Nikon D3
Frames per second 5 fps 9 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash No No
Built-in Flash Range N/A N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Sony a900
Nikon D3
Video recording No No
Video format N/A N/A
Video resolution N/A N/A
Built-in Microphone No No
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Sony a900
Nikon D3
Memory Card Compact Flash
Memory Stick Pro Duo
Compact Flash
Connectivity
Sony a900
Nikon D3
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No No
Remote Control Yes (Wired or Wireless (Optional)) Yes
GPS No Yes
Optional with GP-1
Body & Dimensions
Sony a900
Nikon D3
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
EN-EL4a rechargeable Li-ion battery
Battery Life (CIPA) 880 shots 4300 shots
Width 156 mm 160 mm
Height 117 mm 157 mm
Depth 82 mm 88 mm
Weight 895 gram 1300 gram